After 101 days in captivity in the Colombian jungles, four Israeli hikers were released yesterday by their Colombian rebel kidnappers. A fifth hostage, from Britain, was also released.
The four Israelis - Ido Guy, from Haifa; Erez Altawil, Herzliya; and Benny Daniel and Orpaz Ochayon, friends from Maaleh Adumim, all in their 20's - were abducted on September 15 as they were about to set off for the "Lost City" in the northern Colombian forests. Four other hikers from Britain, Germany, and Spain were also kidnapped at the same time, though one of them managed to escape shortly afterwards, and two others were released a few weeks ago.
The freed Israelis were flown to Bogota last night, from where they proceeded to the home of Israel's Ambassador to Colombia, Ya'ir Rakanati, for a joyous Chanukah-candle lighting ceremony with their families. The Colombian officials helped the families drive to the airport via a side road in order to evade the hundreds of journalists who were waiting for them. The four hikers will return to Israel with their families today.
The release was negotiated with the help of local Catholic Church officials, and with the constant prodding of Ambassador Rakanati. The four, who attempted to escape from their kidnappers some four times, appeared in fine condition and good spirits. The kidnappers had them trek through the forests for hours and days at a time, changing locations every 2-3 days. Orpaz said, after his release, that there were "ups and downs" in the way the kidnappers related to them: "Sometimes they would talk to us as friends, and the next day they would yell and treat us like garbage."
Altawil, who spoke by phone with his brother shortly after the release, ended by saying, "I have to go now. We're going to light Chanukah candles to celebrate our Chanukah miracle."